Dumb-bell



June l2, 1928.

G. F. JOWETT DUMB BELL Filed Sept. 1, 1927 w Y MMMBMMM da/f,

Patented June 12,1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

` GEORGE F. J'OWETT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB T0`J'OTTET'I IN- STITUTE F PHYSICAL CULTURE, INC.,` OF SCRANTON,PENNSYLVANIA, A COB- PORATION OF DELAWARE.

` DUMB-BELL.

Application led September 1, 1927. Serial No. 216,956.

My invention relates to dumbbells and has for one of its importantobjects a very sim-` ple means for varying theweight thereof lined by.or included within the terms 'i or language of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved dumbbell;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectionalview thereof illustrating thedumbbell `with a lesser number of laminated disks, and

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the body portion of the dumbbell.

My invention in the form or embodiment shown in the drawing and brieflydescribed comprises the body portion, indicated generally as at l0, thelaminated disks or weights, 11, and the locking means there- 25 for, 12.

The body portion, 10, of the dumbbell preferably consists of a handholding portion, 13, and a pair of spaced and integrally formed rims orflanges, 14. The outer surfaces or faces of the flanges, 14, are ofcourse parallel so that the laminatedweights adjacent thereto may firmlyseat against it, whereas the opposite faces, l5, of the flanges aresuitably tapered or gradually thickened toward the center thereof so asto present a smooth surfacel to the hand of the user. By forming thecenter of the hand holding portion, 13, slightly larger in diameter thanthe ends a iirm grip may of course be obtained. 40 To effectuallyprevent the dumbbell` from moving in the hand while exercising, Ipreferably form one side thereof with a plurality of finger receivingdepressions, 16. It is a well recognized fact that greater benefit isderived in exercisingfrom devices of this nature when they are iirmlygripped.

The laminated disks or weights, 11, are preferably die-cast so that theymay be uniform in shape and weight, and are of slightly larger diameterthan the outer diameter of the flanges or rims, 14, as is clearly shownin Figures 1 and 2. The centrall located openings, 11a, are of courseforme slightly larger in diameter than the threaded portion of thescrews, 12, to permit their easy removal or replacement with respectthereto. By forming the outer edges ofthe disks, 11, rounded, verysmooth outersurfaces are presented. i

The screws, 12, for fastening the laminated weights, are each providedwith the enlarged heads, 17, which are somewhat fiattened.` for thepurpose of readily gripping, so that they may be easily operated when itis desired to increase or decrease the number of disks. With particularreference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing, it will be noted thatthe hand holding portion, 18, of the body portion, 10, of the dumbbellis threaded but a relatively short distance from each of the ends, theremaining or center portion being formed with a slightly enlargedcounterbore to facilitate the threading operations.

It will be readily understood therefore that dumbbells formed in thisnovel manner may be readily manufactured upon a high production basis asfor example by the die-casting method and requiring but three separatemembers, namely the body portion, the laminated disks, and the retainingscrews, they may be readily interchangeable and sold at a comparativelylow price.

I claim:

A dumbbell comprising a main element including a hand gripping portionand end disks on such hand gripping portion, the main element having anaxial bore opening through ,the ends thereof, such bore having endortions of relatively reduced diameter and interiorly threaded, thecentral portion of the bore being of relatively enlarged diameter andsmooth, screw-rods threaded to cooperate with the threaded portions ofthe bores and having terminal operating heads of materially lessdiameter than that of the end disks, and series of independent weightdisks of a diameter greater than that of the end disks and designed to`be held by the screw rods between such end disks and the terminal headsof the rods, said weight being formed with central openings to receivethe screw rods, whereby whenithe dumbbell is resting on a surface thefull contact is borne by the edges of the weight disks alone.

GEORGE F. JowETT.

